Step-ladder.



I. Y. SAVAGE.

STEP LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13, 1913.

Patented Apr. 6, 1915,.

THE/IVXZRRIS PETERS 50.. PHOTG-LITHQ, WAbHuvvnJN. u

JOHN Y. SAVAGE, OF SCOTLAND NECK, NORTH CABGLINA.

STEP-LADDER.

Application filed June 13, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, JOHN Y. SAVAGE, a citizenof the United States, residing at Scotland. Neck, in the county ofHalifax and State of North Carolina, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Step-Ladders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to step ladders and the principal object of theinvention is to provide a simple and eflicient device for increasing thestability of the ladder when in use and to so construct said ladder thatthe stabilizing means may readily be moved to inoperative position outof the way.

A. still further object of the invention is the provision of a device ofthis character having pivoted or hinged bracing legs to gether withmeans for taking the strain off the hinged bolts when the braces are inuse.

Further objects of this invention will appear as the following specificdescription is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, whichforms a part of this application, and in which Figure 1 is a perspectiveview. Fig. 2 is a detail vertical sectional view.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, 1 represents the ladder and2 the supporting legs which are pivoted thereto in the usual manner andare held in extended position by any suitable device. Hinged to the legsat a point slightly below their longitudinal centers are lateral braces3 which have their ends preferably provided with entering points orprongs which are adapted to enter the surface whereupon the ladder isresting and to prevent the legs or struts Gopies of this patent may beobtained to:

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 6, f jlli.

Serial No. 773,511.

from slipping. Immediately beneath the hinged end of the braces 23, thelegs of the ladder are formed with sockets 4 which produce limitingshoulders 5 adapted to be engaged by the end of the braces 3 when thrownto operative position. Also pivoted upon the ladder legs are suitablecatches which hold the braces in inoperative position, as shown indotted lines in Fig. 1. When the braces are thrown to operativeposition, the upper ends thereof will engage the shoulders produced atthe upper end of the sockets, and thus the strain will be taken off thehinge bolts. These lateral braces 3 will adjust themselves readily toany inaccuracies in the surface upon which the ladder is supported.

What is claimed is:-

A step ladder comprising socketed rung supporting members or sidepieces, rungs and a top piece connecting the same, said sockets formingshoulders, lateral braces for the ladder, hinges secured to the rungsupporting member above the socket and to the braces, said braces havingtheir ends adapted to engage said shoulders to remove the strain fromthe hinges, said braces adapted to turn upwardly against the rungsupporting members beneath the top piece, and means for holding thebraces in elevated position against and parallel with the said members.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN Y. SAVAGE.

Witnesses C. SPEED, B. S. COURTNEY.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Iatents,

Washington. D. G.

